No to the plans destroying the character of the historic centre of Olhão in Portugal

Olhão is a small city in the Eastern Algarve of Portugal, with a peculiar authentic and unique architecture which kept a quite human scale.

Major attractions include the cubist style architecture of the old town which was developed through trading links with North Africa and the narrow cobbled streets using the traditional technique of calçadas.

The municipality has introduced a plan for the renewal of the old city center which will destroy the charm and character of the architectural and urban patterns.

A public consultation has been launched and will end 28th of November.

We need a maximum of support to stop this plan which will be funded by European Funds before that date.

1. The change of the height and the number of floors in existing buildings and/or to be rebuilt, as well as the existing cross sections of the streets, as they will block the general sea view of the town

2. The removal of much of the historically important and traditional, patterned calçadas (see also link for a petition to make these calçadas part of the national heritage: here)

3. The installation of inappropriate modern lighting and seating

4. The demolition of architecturally noteworthy buildings opposite the Camara to be replaced by a modern 21-metre-high tower block in the midst of a two-storey high residential area with roof terraces.

5. Building a large new cultural centre at the edge of town, instead of re-instating the much-loved Recreativa in the Av. da Republica.

Highlights

November 17

Please this town belongs to world heritage. So look after it how it looks now after surviving all those centuries. Cultural Tourism is the future, so keep it like it is!!! Preserve it. André Groeneveld, curator Zuiderzeemuseum the Netherlands show more

November 17

since seven years we are coming to olhao,i wrote three poems about the the town please let olhao stay olhao show more

November 17

We have been regular visitors to Olhao during the last five years - it is one of the few cities that keep their traditional beauty. Why destroy it and be like everyone else? Our best! show more